Design Archives

Pictorial Webster's

Description

After coming across artist Johnny Carrera’s masterwork—a hand-printed and -bound 400-plus-page collection of original engravings from the Webster’s dictionaries of the 19th century—at a rare book fair, we decided to publish a more affordable trade edition. We settled on a fine-paper-wrapped case with limited stamping to allow for some design motifs while maintaining the book’s antiquated keepsake feeling with the handheld trim size and tactility. We illustrated a picture frame to hold the title lockup and hint at the “pictorial” aspect alongside the traditional dictionary look. We also decided that a single image evoking “curiosity” would have a stronger impact than several images on the front. We chose the squid because of its mysterious associations and the visual interest and movement of wrapping the tentacles into the book. The other images on the spine and back cover tie to themes of exploration and examination to complete the package. All of the interior is authentically reprinted from each spread in the original book and typeset for offset printing.

Juror Notes

Just a great little book. What else is there to say? Nice attention to paper quality and production values.